Depending on your skill level, you can upgrade your car audio independently. Component speakers (woofers and tweeters) usually require custom installation. However, you can use your car already with factory tweeters. You’ll save money and get an excellent setup if you do it yourself.
Speakers are the things that translate electrical signals into actual audio. They are the most basic part of any car sound system, and many different types of speakers are available to match almost any car audio installation need. Speakers can be mounted in the front of the vehicle, the rear of the vehicle, or on the dashboard. There are also a wide variety of sizes and mounting configurations available.
Installing a new set of speakers is an inexpensive way to upgrade your car’s sound system. You can do this yourself, but hiring a professional installer is recommended to ensure everything is done correctly. This will also give you peace of mind that if there are any problems with the system after it is installed, the professional can fix them under warranty.
The first step is to remove the factory speakers from your vehicle. This will probably require unscrewing a couple of screws and possibly chipping away any adhesive foam or sealant that is holding the speaker in place. When removing the speakers, be careful not to damage any wires or connections. You may need to disconnect the battery in order to work safely.
Once the factory speakers are removed, it’s time to get started with installing the new ones. Follow the instructions that come with your new speakers, as these will be specifically geared to the product you are buying. Some manufacturers provide a template that will help you find the best mounting location for your speakers. This is a great way to save time, as you won’t have to guess where the speakers will need to be mounted.
Full range speakers typically include a woofer and a tweeter. The woofer will handle the low-to-mid frequency sounds, while the tweeter will handle the mid to high frequencies. Component speaker systems are another option, which are more expensive but offer superior sound quality and flexibility. They are comprised of separate drivers for each sound frequency, with external crossovers to control the signals.
Once the new speakers are connected, it’s important to test them out. This will ensure that they are working properly, and it will also give you an opportunity to make sure that all of the connections are tight. Once the testing is complete, it’s time to re-install any door trim, window controls, and other parts that were removed in order to install the speakers. Once all of the components have been reinstalled, reconnect the battery and turn on the stereo to test that the speakers are functioning as intended.
Amps are the heart of any car audio system and are available in multiple configurations, including mono, four channel, or six channel. Some have built-in equalizers and are a good choice for powering your car’s speakers or subwoofers. Others may have a high-pass filter to remove frequencies below 100Hz, allowing the amplifier to deliver its full power for more bass.
If you’re adding a subwoofer or replacing your factory head unit with one that has RCA outputs, you will need an amp to boost the signal so your new speakers can reach their full potential. Amps also help your stereo compete with the engine noise, air conditioning, and other background noise that can limit your listening enjoyment.
To start your installation, locate where you want the amplifier to go in your vehicle. Be sure the location is accessible and provides adequate air-flow, as amplifiers generate substantial heat when they are working. Also, it is important not to drill or cut the fuel, brake, hydraulic, or electrical lines.
Once you’ve determined the placement, run a main power wire (using an inline fuse of the appropriate size to match your amp) from the battery through the firewall and down into the engine bay where your amplifier is located. You can find a suitable route for this wiring by following preexisting factory wiring or running the cables underneath floor trim panels such as the kick panel, door scuff plates, and/or pillar trim pieces. Secure the wiring using plastic wire ties as needed.
Now connect the amplifier’s remote turn-on lead to either the power wire running to the head unit or a power wire that runs from your accessories setting on the ignition switch. This will prevent the amp from staying on after you’ve turned off your car, draining its battery. Connect the RCA cables, speaker wires, and remote turn-on cable to the back of your amplifier. Then plug in the RCA outputs to your front, rear, and/or subwoofer speakers. Once the connections are complete, plug in your amplifier and turn it on to verify everything is working properly.
A subwoofer (or “sub”) is a speaker designed to produce low-end audio frequencies, thereby adding more bass to your music. They can be either amplified or passive. An amplified subwoofer requires an additional piece of equipment, an amplifier, which helps to provide more power and depth to the sound – which is what makes them more effective at producing that body-rocking experience. A passive subwoofer is just a regular speaker designed to enhance your music’s bass tone, but without the added power, it won’t be as impressive.
The best way to install a subwoofer is with an amplifier that has built-in subwoofer inputs, which allows you to connect it to your existing stereo system easily. There are also pre-made subwoofers that come in a box that can be mounted in the trunk, under the seat, or behind the spare tire, and they are relatively easy to install. The main thing to remember is that the subwoofer should be connected directly to the battery via a ring terminal, and you should run the speaker wires through a slot in the bottom of the enclosure that is usually controlled by a screw and closed with a Phillips head screwdriver.
When installing a subwoofer, it is a good idea to use insulated gloves, because you will be working with the car’s battery. If you don’t, you could risk electrocuting yourself if you accidentally short the positive and negative wires together while working on your installation. You should disconnect the electrical system before starting work in order to prevent this from happening.
Once you have a subwoofer, you will need to choose the right size and type of enclosure for it, as well as hardware and brackets or straps to hold it in place. You’ll also need speaker wires to connect it to the terminal cup on the subwoofer and to the RCA port on your amplifier (which is typically labeled as a “sub” or a “subwoofer” port, if there is one). Finally, you will need a power cable from the battery to the subwoofer.
The wiring is the skeleton of your entire system. Without a solid set of wires, you have nothing to connect your speakers, amplifiers, and subwoofers. Most problems with car stereos can be traced to loose or bad connections. If you’re doing your own installation, you can make your connections more permanent by soldering them or using a heat shrink tubing kit. If you go with the latter, be sure to use one rated for automotive applications.
Once you’ve got all your new wires, you’ll need to connect them to your vehicle’s corresponding connections. The best way to do this is by following the wiring diagram provided with your stereo. It shows a diagram of all the components in the system, their locations, and their respective colors.
It also tells you where to connect each wire to. For example, it might show that the Black wire on the left side of the diagram connects to the Red and Blue wires on the right side. This is because a Black wire is used to power the radio, while Red and Blue are used for the speaker connections.
The right size wire ensures your amplifier can provide enough power for your speakers and subwoofers. Different manufacturers follow different wiring conventions, so you may need to adjust your diagram a little. You should also pay attention to the size of your wires. The smaller the wire, the less current it can carry. Too much current can melt the wire and even cause a fire.
Once you’ve made your connections, it’s important to wrap all of the exposed bare wire metal in electrical tape or heat shrink tubing. This protects the wire and prevents it from rubbing against other parts of your car or making contact with metal objects. Once everything’s finished, you can enjoy your new stereo! If you’d rather let a professional handle the job, call 212 Motoring today for a free estimate.